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Survivor Stories / Tributes

Audrey Johnston

Personal Description:

Dedication:

To my first and greatest love of my life, my mother. My hero! She showed her love in everything she did, and cared about everyone. Her unwavering bravery as she faced the ravages of ovarian cancer was inspirational. Wise words from mom,for all to think about: As she had said to me many times over the years,no matter what the crisis was, she said, “Everything is exactly as it should be”. Such difficult words to understand. But over the years, I have learned that she was right. In some situations,it can take years to come to this realization. Her cancer, and the amount of her suffering is shattering my belief in her wisdom. It will take me a long time to understand why this was “as it should have been”. But I know she is still right. Something good has come from this. Certainly our relationship became bigger than life these past 5 years together. Her great sense of humor shined throughout her disease. We had many good laughs even in the all day chemo sessions.
Wise words, specifically to her “sisters” with ovarian cancer: YOU MUST TRUST YOUR INTUITION! If you suspect you are out of remission, feeling vaguely unwell, you must, above all else, listen to your body! Insist that you get more than just the CA 125 test, such as a scan if you feel like things are not quite right. Be aware that the CA 125 is not the definitive answer. It is only a good tumor marker. My mother’s cancer changed, and did not show a marked increase in that test. She did not feel well for a while, and accepted the CA125 test as definitive. Only the scan revealed the grand scope of the cancerous growth taking place inside of her body. Also, do not be a “good” patient. “Good” patients die. Be assertive if you have real concerns. It could save your life, and definitely can buy you (many) more years of a good quality life, if managed better. Remember though, that the doctors are on your side. They are human. So be kind to them, even if they miss something. They are there to help you. And they do care! My mother and I learned so much about each other and ourselves, throughout her disease. I would not trade this experience for the world with her. Part of that first lesson in wisdom…I love you mom! I will miss you forever.

Personal Description:

73 yrs young,a multi talented person interested in pursuing the answers to all questions in life. A water exercise instructor, (Water Goddess)a loving mother, and grandmother, a political activist for the underdogs, and an all around great person. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the ER as late stage, terminal cancer. She survived 5 years almost to the date of diagnosis. A strong individual and a fighter. Passed away on July 5th, 2008.

Last updated on: 07/24/2008

Comments:

I bow down humbly in the psreence of such greatness.

Nelle Nelle – 06/02/2011

you buried a freind of 18 years. do you mean she was 18 or you have known her for 18 years because you said you are 15. it sounds like she was a freind for 18 years. And honest though it is, it seems a bit too informative when it comes to her sickness. Instead of going into heaps of detail on how sick she was and what her syptoms were try and get more emotive with how it affected her family and freinds when she passed away and how if the doctor had taken her concerns more seriously in the first place she may have been diagnosed sooner. Other than that it is very good hope you do well xoxox.